I need to speak today on a subject that has been getting under my skin a little bit!
And that is how I am seeing so many brilliant, talented and gifted entrepreneurs drowning out their own brilliant voice to put on a persona that resembles someone else they admire, or someone else they think is doing well, or someone else that they think they need to be, or to follow the crowd or a trend, or perhaps simply they are doing what someone else said they “should” be doing.
I’m here to say if you find yourself walking this path, even unintentionally- please – STOP!
A few years ago, a mentor said to me “If two people agree on everything, one of them is not needed” and taking this a bit further, I’d like to change that to say “If two people do exactly the same thing, one of them is not needed”.
That may sound harsh, but really, if a client thinks that two people can solve their problem, they won’t want to hire both, they will choose one.
There is only one you.
I think sometimes when starting out, it’s scary to claim your own voice, to say “this is who I am” and to stand out from the crowd. Heck, I went through it myself.
Add in well meaning people – whether it’s family, friends or even inexperienced coaches, they may truly believe they are helping you – who tell you what you “should” do, or perhaps you are seeing the success of others, and then seeing all the people following or mimicking them, it can sometimes be hard to hear your own voice through all the noise.
When you don’t hear your own voice, it can be easy to pick up and mimic which ever voice comes easiest. And then suddenly you may find yourself surrounded in what you perceive is competition, because everyone appears to be doing the same thing.
However, when you strip it back, who you are, and what you offer is unique, and only you can offer what you do, in the way you do. Even if someone offers something similar, you need to differentiate yourself with your own voice.
The world is waiting for your gifts
Your ideal clients are out there looking and waiting for you. However they will not be able to find you, and get what it is they need, if you aren’t showing up 100% fully and authentically you!
How can you do this?
1. Identify what it is that is your area of brilliance, or as I like to call it “Your Unique Brilliance”
2. Determine what it is you stand for – no matter what
3. Identify your values – both personally and for your business.
4. Know what you believe is possible for your clients when they work with you
5. Know what you will not tolerate in your clients.
These are key elements of finding your voice, and ultimately claiming your brand personality. When you do that, you will differentiate yourself from the crowd, and your message and who you are will resonate and come across so clearly, so definitively that you will not need to worry about what others are doing, or what others may think.
You will have the confidence to stand tall and proud, as you will have found your authentic voice. Under those conditions, there is no competition.
If you need help getting clear on your voice and brand, remember you can always reach out for a complimentary session with me where we will spend 30 minutes focused on your business, brand and voice, and you will leave that call knowing exactly what it is you need to do to differentiate yourself and claim you own authentic voice!
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